BRODS went four points clear at the top of Yorkshire Two with their best display so far this season in Saturday's battle of the top two.
Following the previous week's tremendous defensive display in the cup win over local rivals Heath, the Woodhead "mean machine" kept up the good work. In 10 league games this season, they have only conceded 62 points.
On a heavy pitch and with a variable wind in their favour, Brods were shunted off their own ball at the first scrum. Home player coach Adam Oldfield showed his intentions by bringing their Kiwi No 8 on the crash ball.
Brods responded with some big hits from Jamie McLaughlin and back rowers James Dale and Luke Scrimshaw and their defence stood firm in the face of several penalties conceded.
The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes from their first piece of possession. When play broke down in midfield, the referee from Burnsall allowed advantage and Andy Clay broke before passing to Gareth Standeven, who drew his man and sent brother Adam racing in for a superbly taken try. The touchline conversion was added by the try scorer.
Skipton responded positively but the Brods pack was beginning to settle and warm to the task. With the promptings of the ever alert Dale Gardiner, Brods always looked dangerous on the break but the referee was struggling to keep players onside, possibly due to a colour clash.
An almighty heave shunted the home side off the ball when they had a scrum near the Brods' line and Gardiner broke clear again but the move was halted just short of the try line.
It was now Brods' turn to be camped in the home 22. Brods lineout was operating well with James Ogden's accurate throwing finding his jumpers consistently.
From a lineout in the right hand corner, a tremendous forward drive enabled Matt Haigh to power over from 15 yards. The conversion was missed.
With half time approaching, a Skipton clearance found Richard Holbrough on halfway. The Brods' number 10 looked poised for a drop goal attempt but realised the home side were short of cover on the right and quickly made ground and broke two tackles before releasing James Marshall, who sent in Adam Standeven for his second try.